Mom's Great Faith

On this Mother’s Day, the Canaanite mother (Matthew 15:21-28) provides the opportunity to thank mothers for their faith filled prayers for their children. Idolatry and wickedness filled the hearts of the Canaanites who lived in the cities of Tyre and Sidon, and it would have been inappropriate for Christ to venture there. However, Jesus did visit the coast of these cities on the Sea of Galilee. Here He meets the Canaanite women whose child is demon possessed.

Fully aware of the cultural challenges, she obviously had heard of the miracle worker named Jesus and seeing Him pass by, she does not run, grab His hand, and speak to Him, but cries with a loud voice, begging, “Have mercy on me…” Her cry for mercy bellowed from her because of the need of her child. Mercy for her child translated into mercy for her. The pains of a mother’s heart when her child is ill can be overwhelming. Her desperation drove her. Her belief in Christ compelled her. The need of her child necessitated a zeal to cry for help regardless of cultural dictates.

This story is interesting due to the responses of Christ and the disciples toward her. The cultural challenges are part of the picture; however, it is deeper than that. Jesus first ignores her cry. The expression of discuss by the disciples asking Jesus to send her away. Jesus’ answer to His disciples highlighted the significance of the cultural divide. Jesus continues and compares her to dogs. Furthermore, she is not part of the Jewish family. Nothing can squelch the desperate cry of a mother whose child is in need of deliverance and healing. The dismissal for cultural reasons, name calling (dogs), and rejection will cause many to cease, but these issues will not silence a mother’s persistent petition. Many upon hearing these discouraging words would have dismissed this opportunity and moved on, yet, she remained because it was not about her, but the need of her child.

Most theologians note the faith of the Canaanite mother. Great trials demand great faith. While the extension of mercy to all is expected, Jesus taught:

Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6, AMPC)

 After making her petitions known, she did not run away because she did not hear the answer to her prayer, but she knelt and worshipped. While she worshipped, Jesus calls her a dog, yet she knew that even being a lowly dog, the crumbs from Jesus table would be sufficient relief for her need. The delay of answers to our prayers requires that we pray more. Prayer and petitions to God are not wasted time. Our fast pace society rejects the living Savior, simply because He does not move on our timetable. He moves on His. Humility will keep us on our knees and worshipping a living Savior. She remains. She continues her plea. With every discouragement, she continued to press for release for her child. Sometimes the trials of our faith are to strengthen us and encourage others. Through her humility, she overcomes rejection. Jesus recognizes her great faith and answers her prayers.

 

And going away from there, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman who was a Canaanite from that district came out and, with a [loud, troublesomely urgent] cry, begged, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is miserably and distressingly and cruelly possessed by a demon! But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, Send her away, for she is crying out after us. He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came and, kneeling, worshiped Him and kept praying, Lord, help me! And He answered, It is not right (proper, becoming, or fair) to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs. She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the little pups (little whelps) eat the crumbs that fall from their [young] masters’ table. Then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish. And her daughter was cured from that moment. (Matthew 15:21-28, AMPC)